Self-erecting suspension platform system

ABSTRACT

A self-erecting suspension platform system having a work platform suspended between a sinistral modular mast and a dextral modular mast by a hoisting system. The modular masts are composed of at least two mast units stacked vertically and attached to one another. Each mast unit has a multifunction rail including a plurality of safety engagement devices and a stabilizer guide device, a unit interconnection device, and a unit assembly guide. The work platform has at least two mast stabilizers that cooperate with the stabilizer guide devices to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform. The work platform has a plurality of platform mast engagers cooperating with at least one of the mast safety engagement devices to releasably lock the platform to the modular mast. The hoisting system includes multiple carriages, hoists, and mast cables. Each carriage receives the associated mast so that the carriage may be conveniently slid up and down the mast.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The instant invention relates to self-erecting suspension platformsystems, particularly a ground based tower supported suspension typework platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Suspension type work platforms are well-known in the art. They aretraditionally mounted from the roof or upper stories of a building bymeans of temporary roof beams or permanent mounting davits, and oftenemploy a track-based roof carriage, or monorails, to provide movableanchoring points for a work platform system. Obviously, a roof-mountedsuspension platform system requires a usable roof, and therefore such adesign is inherently unusable for a vertical structure underconstruction, for structures having a roof covered in large part withmechanical equipment for the HVAC system, or for a sloping roof.Alternatively, work platforms may be raised from the ground by means ofa lift, such as seen in various “cherry-picker” type work baskets; orwith a scissors-like arrangements as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,854; orby means of an extending tower, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,737.These ground based systems have the advantage of easy mobility, but allshare the obvious shortcoming of being severely limited in the height towhich the platform may be raised, which is generally limited to a veryfew stories of building elevation.

Alternatively, ground based systems may utilize scaffolding supportsthat are built-up from sections in order to reach variable heights. Atypical example is that seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,332, in whichrectangular scaffolding sections may be built up alongside a platformthat climbs the scaffold sections by means of a rack and pinion system.A suspension platform design has also been designed, in which chainshooked to the scaffold section, or towers, serves to raise the platform.

Safety is of paramount concern when working from an elevated, orsuspended, work platform. Prior art devices share many severe safetyshortcomings. Firstly, modular sections should be easily raised andlocked into position from inside the relative safety of the workplatform. Such modular sections should be easily connected by secure,yet easily releasable connections that do not require a worker tostruggle or lean outside of the work platform boundary. Secondly, themodular sections must be readily attachable to the vertical surfacealongside of which the sections, or towers, are erected, in order toallow significant height to be achieved safely. Thirdly, redundantsafety systems are highly desirable, to prevent the work platform fromaccidentally falling in case of equipment malfunction such as aseparation of the hoisting and safety locking mechanism into separatecomponents, and most desirably with more than a single safety locksystem.

What has been missing in the art has been a system by which a selferecting work platform may be raised on a tower system of easilyinterlocking sections, all of which may be easily raised from within thesafety of the work platform, and which utilizes a motor and cable liftto raise and lower the platform system that is entirely separate fromthe safety lock mechanisms that operate to lock the work platform inplace while tower sections are being added or removed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In its most general configuration, the present invention advances thestate of the art with a variety of new capabilities and overcomes manyof the shortcomings of prior devices in new and novel ways. In its mostgeneral sense, the present invention overcomes the shortcomings andlimitations of the prior art in any of a number of generally effectiveconfigurations. The instant invention demonstrates such capabilities andovercomes many of the shortcomings of prior methods in new and novelways.

The present invention is a self-erecting suspension platform systemintended for use in the construction, maintenance, and cleaning ofstructures, or any other access solution. The platform system comprisesa work platform suspended between a sinistral modular mast and a dextralmodular mast by a hoisting system.

The sinistral modular mast and the dextral modular mast are eachcomposed of at least two mast units stacked vertically and attached toone another. Each mast unit has a distal end, a proximal end, amultifunction rail extending from the distal end to the proximal endincluding a plurality of safety engagement devices and a stabilizerguide device, a unit interconnection device located substantially nearthe distal end, and a unit assembly guide. When the mast units arestacked upon one another the multifunction rail of each mast unitsubstantially aligns with the multifunction rail of the adjacent mastunit. The modular mast units may be virtually any shape andconfiguration.

The work platform serves as the stage upon which a user, or users, worksto construct walls, wash windows, or any number of other elevated tasks.The work platform has a sinistral end and a dextral end. The workplatform is designed to be suspended between the sinistral modular mastand the dextral modular mast. Therefore, the distance from the sinistralend to the dextral end of the work platform is less than, orsubstantially equal to, the mast separation distance. The work platformalso has a sinistral mast stabilizer and a dextral mast stabilizerattached to the platform and is configured to cooperate with thesinistral and dextral mast stabilizer guide devices of the sinistral anddextral mast multifunction rails to prevent undesired swaying of thesuspended work platform. The work platform also has a sinistral platformmast engager and a dextral platform mast engager attached to theplatform and configured to cooperate with at least one of the pluralityof sinistral and dextral mast safety engagement devices of the sinistraland dextral mast multifunction rails to releasably lock the platform tothe modular mast thereby preventing unintentional descent of theplatform.

The hoisting system suspends the working platform from the modularmasts. The hoisting system includes a sinistral carriage, a dextralcarriage, a sinistral mast hoist, a dextral mast hoist, a sinistral mastcable, and a dextral mast cable. Each carriage is adapted tocooperatively receive the associated modular mast so that the carriagemay be conveniently slid up and down the associated modular mast by auser. Each carriage also has a proximal end, a distal end, a body, acable connector, an operator handle, and a carriage mast engager. Thecarriage mast engager is configured to releasably lock the carriage tothe associated modular mast thereby preventing unintentional descent ofthe carriage.

The mast hoists are attached to the working platform and the associatedmast cable, which is then attached to the cable connector of theassociated carriage thereby suspending the working platform from thecarriages. The mast hoists adjust the elevation of the working platformby extending and retracting the mast cables.

Lastly, the platform system includes a control system having a centralcontrol station for user control. The central console station is incommunication with each mast hoist thereby controlling the elevation ofthe work platform.

These variations, modifications, alternatives, and alterations of thevarious preferred embodiments may be used alone or in combination withone another as will become more readily apparent to those with skill inthe art with reference to the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments and the accompanying figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Without limiting the scope of the present invention as claimed below andreferring now to the drawings and figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of the self-erectingsuspension platform, not to scale;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan of the self-erecting suspension platform,not to scale;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation view of the self-erectingsuspension platform, not to scale;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation view of the self-erectingsuspension platform, not to scale;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side elevation view of the self-erectingsuspension platform, not to scale;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation view of the self-erectingsuspension platform, not to scale;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevation view of a portion of the sinistralmodular mast, not to scale;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation view of a portion of the dextralmodular mast, not to scale;

FIG. 9 is a schematic front elevation view of a portion of the dextralmodular mast, not to scale;

FIG. 10 is a schematic side elevation view of an embodiment of thesinistral carriage, not to scale;

FIG. 11 is a schematic side elevation view of an embodiment of thedextral carriage, not to scale;

FIG. 12 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the sinistralcarriage, not to scale;

FIG. 13 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the sinistralcarriage, not to scale;

FIG. 14 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the sinistralcarriage, not to scale;

FIG. 15 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the sinistralcarriage, not to scale;

FIG. 16 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of themultifunction rail, not to scale;

FIG. 17 is a schematic front elevation view of an embodiment of themultifunction rail, not to scale;

FIG. 18 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of themultifunction rail, not to scale;

FIG. 19 is a schematic front elevation view of an embodiment of themultifunction rail, not to scale;

FIG. 20 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of themultifunction rail, not to scale;

FIG. 21 is a schematic front elevation view of an embodiment of themultifunction rail, not to scale;

FIG. 22 is a schematic elevated perspective view of an embodiment of themultifunction rail and platform mast stabilizer, not to scale;

FIG. 23 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of themultifunction rail and platform mast stabilizer, not to scale;

FIG. 24 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of themultifunction rail and platform mast stabilizer, not to scale;

FIG. 25 is a schematic partial cross-section of several elements of thepresent invention, not to scale;

FIG. 26 is a schematic partial cross-section of several elements of thepresent invention, not to scale;

FIG. 27 is a schematic partial cross-section of several elements of thepresent invention, not to scale;

FIG. 28 is a schematic partial cross-section of several elements of thepresent invention, not to scale;

FIG. 29 is a schematic partial cross-section of several elements of thepresent invention, not to scale;

FIG. 30 is a schematic partial cross-section of several elements of thepresent invention, not to scale;

FIG. 31 is a schematic front elevation view of a portion of thesinistral modular mast, not to scale;

FIG. 32 is a schematic front elevation view of a portion of the dextralmodular mast, not to scale;

FIG. 33 is a schematic side elevation view of an embodiment of a unitassembly guide, not to scale;

FIG. 34 is a schematic side elevation view of an embodiment of a unitassembly guide, not to scale;

FIG. 35 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the sinistralmodular mast and multifunction rails, not to scale; and

FIG. 36 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the dextralmodular mast and multifunction rails, not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The self-erecting suspension platform system (10) of the instantinvention enables a significant advance in the state of the art. Thepreferred embodiments of the device accomplish this by new and novelarrangements of elements and methods that are configured in unique andnovel ways and which demonstrate previously unavailable but preferredand desirable capabilities. The detailed description set forth below inconnection with the drawings is intended merely as a description of thepresently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended torepresent the only form in which the present invention may beconstructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs,functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention inconnection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood,however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may beaccomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to beencompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The present invention is a self-erecting suspension platform system (10)intended for use in the construction, maintenance, and cleaning ofstructures, or any other access solution. With reference to FIG. 1, theplatform system (10) comprises a work platform (300) located between asinistral modular mast (100) and a dextral modular mast (200), wherein ahoisting system (400) suspends the work platform (300) from the modularmasts (100, 200).

First, the modular masts (100, 200) will be disclosed in detail. Thesinistral modular mast (100), illustrated in FIG. 7, has at least asecond sinistral mast unit (110 b) stacked vertically on, and releasablyattached to, a first sinistral mast unit (110 a). The first sinistralmast unit (110 a) and the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) aresubstantially identical. Each sinistral mast unit (110 a, 110 b) has adistal end (112), a proximal end (114), a multifunction rail (116)extending from the distal end (112) to the proximal end (114) includinga plurality of safety engagement devices (117) and a stabilizer guidedevice (122), illustrated in FIG. 31 only, a unit interconnection device(135), seen in FIG. 7, located substantially near the distal end (112),and a unit assembly guide (140) located substantially near the distalend (112). When the sinistral mast units (110 a, 110 b) are stacked uponone another the multifunction rails (116) of each mast unit (110 a, 110b) substantially align. The sinistral modular mast (100) is constructedon a sinistral base plate (113) in contact with the ground for stabilityand to distribute the load of the sinistral modular mast (100).

Similarly, the dextral modular mast (200), seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, has atleast a second dextral mast unit (210 b) stacked vertically on, andreleasably attached to, a first dextral mast unit (210 a). The firstdextral mast unit (210 a) and the second dextral mast unit (210 b) aresubstantially identical, and are substantially identical to thesinistral mast units (110 a, 110 b). Each dextral mast unit (210 a, 210b) has a distal end (212), a proximal end (214), a multifunction rail(216) extending from the distal end (212) to the proximal end (214)including a plurality of safety engagement devices (217) and astabilizer guide device (222), seen only in FIG. 32, a unitinterconnection device (235) located substantially near the distal end(212), and a unit assembly guide (240) located substantially near thedistal end (212). When the dextral mast units (210 a, 210 b) are stackedupon one another the multifunction rails (216) of each mast unit (210 a,210 b) substantially align. The dextral modular mast (200) isconstructed on a dextral base plate (213) in contact with the ground forstability and to distribute the load of the dextral modular mast (200).Further, one with skill in the art will appreciate that themultifunction rails (116, 216) need not be located at the middle of oneof the sides of the modular masts (100, 200). In fact, by offsetting themultifunction rails (116, 216) the working platform (300) may be placedcloser to the structure upon which work is being performed.

The sinistral mast units (110 a, 110 b) are configured such that when aportion of the distal end (112) of a second sinistral mast unit (110 b)is placed in contact with the proximal end (114) of the adjacent firstsinistral mast unit (110 a), during assembly of the sinistral modularmast (100), the unit assembly guide (140) pivotably secures the secondsinistral mast unit (110 b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110 a)such that the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) may be securely rotatedinto a vertical position such that the sinistral unit interconnectiondevice (135) attaches the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) to thefirst sinistral mast unit (110 a), as seen in FIG. 7. Similarly, thedextral mast units (210 a, 210 b), illustrated best in FIGS. 3, 8, and9, are configured such that when a portion of the distal end (212) of asecond dextral mast unit (210 b) is placed in contact with the proximalend (214) of the adjacent first dextral mast unit (210 a), duringassembly of the dextral modular mast (200), the unit assembly guide(240) pivotably secures the second dextral mast unit (210 b) to thefirst dextral mast unit (210 a) such that the second dextral mast unit(210 b) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such that thedextral unit interconnection device (235) attaches the second dextralmast unit (210 b) to the first dextral mast unit (110 a). The dextralmodular mast (200) is separated from the sinistral modular mast (100) bya mast separation distance (50).

As one with skill in the art will recognize, the modular mast units (110a, 110 b, 210 a, 210 b) may be virtually any shape and configuration.The design and construction of the modular mast units (110 a, 110 b, 210a, 210 b) depends largely on the size and load of the work platform(300), as well as the elevation that the work platform (300) must reach.For example, the modular mast units (110 a, 110 b, 210 a, 210 b) may bea predetermined size and configuration for use with ten foot long workplatforms (300) that will reach an elevation of no more than sixty feet.Further, then modular mast units (110 a, 110 b, 210 a, 210 b) for usewith longer more heavily loaded work platforms (300) may be a differentconfiguration and level of reinforcing such that for safety concerns themodular mast units (110 a, 110 b, 210 a, 210 b) of one particular workplatform (300) and application criteria may not be used with modularmast units (110 a, 110 b, 210 a, 210 b) of a different work platform(300) and application criteria. As with many structural tower systems,generally a triangular cross-sectioned truss construction tower providesthe greatest utility, however any number of widely known structuralshapes may be used.

Further, the unit assembly guides (140, 240) may be constructed in anynumber of effective arrangements. In one embodiment, the unit assemblyguides (140, 240) includes a hook device (142, 242), seen in FIGS. 33and 34, located substantially near the distal end (112, 212) andconfigured such that when a portion of the distal end (112, 212) of asecond mast unit (110 b, 210 b) is placed in contact with the proximalend (114, 214) of the adjacent first mast unit (110 a, 210 a) in thevertical position that the hook device (142, 242) pivotably secures thesecond mast unit (110 b, 210 b) to the first mast unit (110 a, 210 a)such that the second mast unit (110 b, 210 b) may be securely rotatedinto a vertical position such that the unit interconnection device (135,235) attaches the second mast unit (110 b, 210 b) to the first mast unit(110 a, 210 a). Similarly, the unit interconnection devices (135, 235)may be constructed in any number of effective arrangements. Perhaps themost simple embodiment of the unit interconnection devices (135, 235)barb-type finger, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, that deflects and snaps overa portion of the adjacent mast unit (110 a, 110 b, 210 a, 210 b), andrequires intentional manipulation of the finger to release the adjacentmast unit (110 a, 110 b, 210 a, 210 b).

Next, with reference again to FIG. 1, the work platform (300) serves asthe stage upon which a user, or users, works to construct walls, washwindows, or any number of other elevated tasks. The work platform (300)has a sinistral end (302) and a dextral end (304), as seen in FIG. 3.Since the work platform (300) is designed to be suspended between thesinistral modular mast (100) and the dextral modular mast (200), thedistance from the sinistral end (302) to the dextral end (304) of thework platform (300) is less than, or substantially equal to, the mastseparation distance (50), shown in FIG. 5. The work platform (300) islocated between the sinistral modular mast (100) and the dextral modularmast (200) such that the work platform sinistral end (302) is adjacentto the sinistral modular mast (100) and the work platform dextral end(304) is adjacent to the dextral modular mast (200). The work platform(300) has a railing (310), seen in FIG. 3. The work platform (300) alsohas a sinistral mast stabilizer (320) and a dextral mast stabilizer(330) attached to the platform (300) and configured to cooperate withthe sinistral and dextral mast stabilizer guide device (122, 222), seenin FIGS. 31 and 32, of the sinistral and dextral mast multifunctionrails (116, 216) to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended workplatform (300). Additionally, the work platform (300) has a sinistralplatform mast engager (340) and a dextral platform mast engager (350)attached to the platform (300) and configured to cooperate with at leastone of the plurality of sinistral and dextral mast safety engagementdevices (117, 217) of the sinistral and dextral mast multifunction rails(116, 216) to releasably lock the platform (300) to the modular mast(100, 200) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the platform(300).

With reference now to FIG. 4, the hoisting system (400) suspends theworking platform (300) from the sinistral modular mast (100) and thedextral modular mast (200). The hoisting system (400) includes (a) asinistral carriage (450), (b) a dextral carriage (470), (c) a sinistralmast hoist (430), (d) a dextral mast hoist (440), (e) a sinistral mastcable (410), and (f) a dextral mast cable (420).

The sinistral carriage (450) is adapted to cooperatively receive thesinistral modular mast (100) so that the sinistral carriage (450) may beconveniently slid up and down the sinistral modular mast (100) by auser. As seen in FIGS. 10, 12, and 14, the sinistral carriage (450) hasa proximal end (466), a distal end (467), a body (452), a cableconnector (454), an operator handle (456), and a carriage mast engager(460). The carriage mast engager (460) is configured to releasably lockthe sinistral carriage (450) to the sinistral modular mast (100) therebypreventing unintentional descent of the sinistral carriage (450).

The dextral carriage (470) is adapted to cooperatively receive thedextral modular mast (200) so that the dextral carriage (470) may beconveniently slid up and down the dextral modular mast (200) by a user.As seen in FIGS. 11 and 13, the dextral carriage (470) has a proximalend (486), a distal end (487), a body (472), a cable connector (474), anoperator handle (476), and a carriage mast engager (480) to releasablylock the dextral carriage (470) to the dextral modular mast (200)thereby preventing unintentional descent of the dextral carriage (470),

Referring again to FIG. 4, the sinistral mast hoist (430) is attached tothe working platform (300) near the sinistral end (302) and the dextralmast hoist (440) is attached to the working platform (300) near thedextral end (304). Further, the sinistral mast cable (410) is attachedto the cable connector (454) of the sinistral carriage (450) and thesinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextral mast cable (420) is attachedto the cable connector (474) of the dextral carriage (470) and thedextral mast hoist (440) thereby suspending the working platform (300)from the sinistral carriage (450) and the dextral carriage (470). Themast hoists (430, 440) adjust the elevation of the working platform(300) by extending and retracting the sinistral mast cable (410) fromthe sinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextral mast cable (420) from thedextral mast hoist (440). The mast hoists (430, 440) are generallycommercially available electrically powered hoists, but they may bemanual hoist systems.

Lastly, the platform system (10) includes a control system (500) havinga central control station (510) for user control. The central consolestation (510) is in communication with the sinistral mast hoist (430)and the dextral mast hoist (440) thereby controlling the elevation ofthe work platform (300) by extending and retracting the sinistral mastcable (410) and the dextral mast cable (420) from the sinistral masthoist (430) and the dextral mast hoist (440). The control system (500)may incorporate any number of electrical interlocks for improved safety.For instance, the control system (500) may include an accelerometer thatactivates the safety engagement devices (117, 217) upon sensing apredetermined acceleration or velocity. Additional safety features mayinclude top limit switch(s), bottom limit switch(s), and a payloadoverload detection system.

Now the various elements discussed above will be reviewed in more detailand as applied to various embodiments. The plurality of safetyengagement devices (117, 217) of the multifunction rails (116, 216) maybe formed as locking recesses (118, 218) formed in the multifunctionrail (116, 216) in some embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 17 and 22, and maybe formed as locking projections (119, 219) extending from themultifunction rail (116, 216) in other embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 19,20, and 23. The locking recesses (118, 218) of FIGS. 17 and 22 formed inthe multifunction rail (116, 216) are generally openings that extend allthe way through the multifunction rail (116, 216), however they maysimply be recesses formed in the multifunction rail (116, 216).

The sinistral carriage mast engager (460) and the dextral mast engager(480) cooperate with their associated modular mast (100, 200) to preventunintentional descent of the carriages (450, 470). The carriage mastengagers (460, 480) may be virtually any device that can selectivelylock the associated carriage (450, 470) to the associated mast (100,200). Most embodiments the carriage mast engagers (460, 480) includesome form of a locking tongue. For instance, one embodiment, illustratedin FIGS. 25 and 26, includes a sinistral carriage locking tongue (462)formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking recesses (118) so thatthe sinistral carriage locking tongue (462) can extend into, and retractfrom, any one of the sinistral locking recesses (118) to releasablysecure the sinistral carriage (450) to the sinistral multifunction rail(116). Similarly, in this embodiment, the dextral carriage mast engager(480) includes a dextral carriage locking tongue (482) formed tocooperate with the dextral locking recesses (218) so that the dextralcarriage locking tongue (482) can extend into, and retract from, any oneof the dextral locking recesses (218) to releasably secure the dextralcarriage (470) to the dextral multifunction rail (216), not illustratedbut identical to FIGS. 25 and 26. However, in alternative embodimentsthe carriage mast engagers (460, 480) may directly attach to the mast(100, 200), not the multifunction rail (116, 216). The actuation of thecarriage locking tongues (462, 482) may be manually initiated by theforce of the user or may be power actuated via hydraulics, pneumatics,or electromagnetics, just to name a few power sources.

Similar to the carriage mast engagers (460, 480) just discussed, thework platform (300) incorporates a sinistral platform mast engager (340)and a dextral platform mast engager (350), seen in FIG. 3, both of whichare attached to the platform (300), configured to cooperate with atleast one of the plurality of sinistral and dextral mast safetyengagement devices (117, 217) of the sinistral and dextral mastmultifunction rails (116, 216). The platform mast engagers (340, 350)serve to releasably lock the platform (300) to the modular masts (100,200) via the multifunction rails (116, 216) thereby preventingunintentional descent of the platform (300). Further, systematic lockingof the platform (300) to the modular masts (100, 200) is required duringthe operation of the suspension platform system (10). The platform mastengagers (340, 350) may be virtually any device that can selectivelylock the associated side of the work platform (302, 304) to theassociated multifunction rail (116, 216). Most embodiments the platformmast engagers (340, 350) include some form of a locking tongue. Forinstance, one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26, includes asinistral platform locking tongue (342) formed to cooperate with thesinistral locking recesses (118) so that the sinistral platform lockingtongue (342) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the sinistrallocking recesses (118) to releasably secure the work platform sinistralend (302) to the sinistral multifunction rail (116). Similarly, in thisembodiment, the dextral platform mast engager (350) includes a dextralplatform locking tongue (352) formed to cooperate with the dextrallocking recesses (218) so that the dextral platform locking tongue (352)can extend into, and retract from, any one of the dextral lockingrecesses (218) to releasably secure the work platform dextral end (304)to the dextral multifunction rail (216), not illustrated but identicalto FIGS. 25 and 26.

As previously mentioned, in some embodiments the plurality of safetyengagement devices (117, 217) of the multifunction rails (116, 216) maybe formed as locking projections (119, 219) extending from themultifunction rail (116, 216), as seen in FIGS. 18-21. In theseembodiments, the plurality of sinistral safety engagement devices (117)are sinistral locking projections (119) extending from the sinistralmultifunction rail (116), and the plurality of dextral safety engagementdevices (217) are dextral locking projections (219) extending from thedextral multifunction rail (216). Similar to the embodiments previouslydescribed, most embodiments incorporating locking projections (119, 219)also incorporate carriage mast engagers (460, 480) in the form of alocking tongue that cooperates with the locking projections (119, 219).For example, in one embodiment the sinistral carriage mast engager (460)includes a sinistral carriage locking tongue (462) formed to cooperatewith the sinistral locking projections (119) so that the sinistralcarriage locking tongue (462) can engage with, and disengage from, anyone of the sinistral locking projections (119) to releasably secure thesinistral carriage (450) to the sinistral multifunction rail (116), asseen in FIGS. 27 and 28, and the dextral carriage mast engager (480)includes a dextral carriage locking tongue (482) formed to cooperatewith the dextral locking projections (219) so that the dextral carriagelocking tongue (482) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of thedextral locking projections (219) to releasably secure the dextralcarriage (470) to the dextral multifunction rail (216), not illustratedbut similar to FIGS. 27 and 28. The actuation of the carriage lockingtongues (462, 482) may be manually initiated by the force of the user ormay be power actuated via hydraulics, pneumatics, or electromagnetics,just to name a few power sources. In one particular embodiment seen inFIGS. 10 and 11, the carriage operator handle (456, 476) includes aengager activation device (457, 477) that activates and deactivates thecarriage mast engager (460, 480) to releasably lock the carriage (450,470) to the modular mast (100, 200) thereby preventing unintentionaldescent of the carriage (450, 470).

In the embodiments incorporating locking projections (119, 219), thework platform (300) incorporates a sinistral platform mast engager (340)and a dextral platform mast engager (350), both of which are attached tothe platform (300), configured to cooperate with at least one of theplurality of sinistral and dextral mast locking projections (119, 219)of the sinistral and dextral mast multifunction rails (116, 216). Theplatform mast engagers (340, 350) serve to releasably lock the platform(300) to the modular masts (100, 200) via the multifunction rails (116,216) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the platform (300), asseen in one embodiment in FIGS. 25 and 26. Further, systematic lockingof the platform (300) to the modular masts (100, 200) is required duringthe operation of the suspension platform system (10). The platform mastengagers (340, 350) may be virtually any device that can selectivelylock the associated side of the work platform (302, 304) to theassociated multifunction rail (116, 216). Most embodiments of theplatform mast engagers (340, 350) include some form of a locking tongue.For instance, one embodiment includes a sinistral platform lockingtongue (342) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking projection(119) so that the sinistral platform locking tongue (342) can engage anddisengage any one of the sinistral locking projections (119) toreleasably secure the work platform sinistral end (302) to the sinistralmultifunction rail (116). Similarly, in this embodiment, the dextralplatform mast engager (350) includes a dextral platform locking tongue(352) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking projections (219) sothat the dextral platform locking tongue (352) can engage and disengageany one of the dextral locking projections (219) to releasably securethe work platform dextral end (304) to the dextral multifunction rail(216).

In one particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28 thesinistral carriage locking tongue (462) is a locking wedge (463) rigidlyattached to the sinistral carriage (450) below the sinistral cableconnector (454) and at, or above, the sinistral carriage proximal end(466). Similarly, in this embodiment the dextral carriage cableconnector (474) is located substantially at the dextral carriage distalend (477) and the dextral carriage locking tongue (472) is a lockingwedge (483) rigidly attached to the dextral carriage (470) below thedextral cable connector (474) and at, or above, the dextral carriageproximal end (476), not illustrated by similar to FIGS. 27 and 28.Therefore, to move the sinistral carriage (450) of this embodimentrelative to the sinistral modular mast (100) the sinistral carriagelocking wedge (463) and the sinistral carriage proximal end (466) mustbe moved away from the sinistral locking projections (119) so that thesinistral carriage locking wedge (463) may pass the sinistral lockingprojections (119) as the sinistral carriage (450) traverses thesinistral modular mast (100), as seen in FIG. 28. Such movement isgenerally accomplished by the user grabbing the operator handle (456)and rotating the carriage (450) as it is lifted, as indicated by therotation arrow labeled R. Similarly, to move the dextral carriage (470)relative to the dextral modular mast (200) the dextral carriage lockingwedge (483) and the dextral carriage proximal end (486) must be movedaway from the dextral locking projections (219) so that the dextralcarriage locking wedge (483) may pass the dextral locking projections(219) as the dextral carriage (470) traverses the dextral modular mast(200). Therefore, upon application of a suspension force (SF) on thesinistral carriage cable connector (454) the sinistral carriage lockingwedge (463) engages at least one sinistral locking projection (19)thereby preventing movement of the sinistral carriage (450), as seen inFIG. 27. Similarly, upon application of a suspension force on thedextral carriage cable connector (474) the dextral carriage lockingwedge (483) engages at least one dextral locking projection (219)thereby preventing movement of the dextral carriage (470). In thisembodiment, application of a suspension load on the cable connectors(454, 474), along with their location, creates a moment that tends toforce the fixed locking wedges (463, 483) into the safety engagementdevice (117, 217) ensuring a reliable engagement of the carriage (450,470) and the modular mast (100, 200).

In an alternative embodiment the carriage locking tongues (462, 482) maybe biased locking pawls (464, 484) attached to the carriages (450, 470),as seen in FIGS. 29 and 30. To increase the elevation of the carriages(450, 470) relative to the modular mast (100, 200) the carriage (450,470) is forced upward and the carriage biased locking pawl (464, 484)pivots as it contacts the locking projections (119, 219), or the lockingrecesses (118, 218), so that the carriage (450, 470) may pass thelocking projections (119, 219) as the carriage (450, 470) traverses themodular mast (100, 200). The biased locking pawl (464, 484) snaps backinto an engaged position, due to the biased nature of the pawl, as soonas it passes the locking projections (119, 219), or locking recesses(118, 218). Further, upon application of a suspension force on thecarriage cable connector (454, 474) the carriage biased locking pawl(464, 484) engages at least one locking projection (119, 219), orlocking recesses (118, 218) thereby preventing movement of the carriage(450, 470). While FIGS. 29 and 30 only illustrate the sinistral elementswith respect locking recesses (118), one with skill in the art willappreciate that the biased locking pawl (464) applies equally as well toa dextral biased locking pawl (484), as well as biased locking pawls(464, 484) for use with locking projections (119, 219).

As previously mentioned, the work platform (300) also has a sinistralmast stabilizer (320) and a dextral mast stabilizer (330) attached tothe platform (300), illustrated in FIG. 5, and configured to cooperatewith the sinistral and dextral mast stabilizer guide device (122, 222),seen in FIGS. 31 and 32, of the sinistral and dextral mast multifunctionrails (116, 216) to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended workplatform (300). In one particular embodiment seen explicitly in FIGS. 16and 17 and generally in most of the figures, the sinistral stabilizerguide device (122) is integral to the sinistral multifunction rail (116)and the dextral stabilizer guide device (222) is integral to the dextralmultifunction rail (216). In a further embodiment seen in FIGS. 25 and26, the work platform sinistral mast stabilizer (320) includes at leastone sinistral platform roller (322) in rolling contact with thesinistral stabilizer guide device (122) to prevent swaying of thesuspended work platform (300) and the work platform dextral maststabilizer (330) includes at least one dextral platform roller (332) inrolling contact with the dextral stabilizer guide device (222) toprevent swaying of the suspended work platform (300).

In a further embodiment, the sinistral and dextral multifunction rails(116, 216) are U-shaped multifunction rails (125, 225), illustrated inFIGS. 16-19 with respect to the sinistral elements, having a bearingsurface (126, 226), a first sidewall (127, 227), and a second sidewall(128, 228). In this configuration the mast stabilizers (320, 330) areretained between the first sidewall (127, 227) and the second sidewall(128, 228), as seen in FIG. 22. Alternatively, the sinistral and dextralmultifunction rails (116, 216) may be V-shaped multifunction rails (130,230) having a first bearing surface (131, 231) substantially orthogonalto a second bearing surface (132, 232), as seen in FIG. 23. In thisembodiment the mast stabilizers (320, 330) are retained between thefirst bearing surface (131, 232) and the second bearing surface (132,232). This embodiment is particularly unique in that the multifunctionrails (116, 216) may incorporate locking projections (119, 219)extending from the rails (116, 216) that do not interfere with themovement and wear of the mast stabilizers (320, 330).

The carriages (450, 470) may be constructed in a number of arrangements.The carriage bodies (452, 472) may completely encircle the modular mastperimeters (145, 245), as seen in FIG. 14, or the carriage bodies (452,472) may only partially enclose the modular masts (100, 200), as seen inFIG. 15. Further, the carriages (450, 470) may include a guide (458,478) configured to cooperate with the associated multifunction rail(116, 216) and constrain the movement of the carriage (450, 470) on themodular mast (100, 200), as seen in FIGS. 12 and 13. As seen in FIGS. 10and 11, the operator handle (456, 476) of the carriage (450, 470)generally extends beyond the distal end (467, 487) of the carriage (450,470) so that the user can easily maneuver the carriage (450, 470) to anelevation beyond the normal reach of the user. Additionally, theconstruction of the carriages (450, 470) generally varies with the typeof safety engagement devices (117, 217). For example, in the previouslydisclosed embodiments wherein the carriage (450, 470) incorporates arigidly attached locking wedge (463, 483) the carriage (450, 470) mustfit relatively loosely around the modular masts (100, 200) so that thecarriage locking wedges (463, 483) may be moved by manipulation of thecarriage (450, 470) to pass the locking projections (119, 219), as seenin FIGS. 27 and 28. Alternatively, embodiments having safety engagementdevices (117, 217) that simply extend and retract, as in the embodimentsof FIGS. 25 and 26, or rotate such as the biased locking pawls (344,444) of FIGS. 29 and 30, to lock the carriages (450, 470) to the modularmasts (100, 200) may have much tighter fits between the carriages (450,470) and the modular masts (100, 200).

Now, with the numerous embodiments described, the general sequence ofoperation may be disclosed. Operation of the system (10) begins with thepositioning of the fist mast units (110 a, 210 a) and the work platform(300), as seen in FIG. 3. Next, second mast units (110 b, 210 b) arelifted so that at least one portion of the second mast unit (110 b, 210b) may be positioned on top of a portion of the first mast unit (110 a,210 a). This positioning allows the user to use the unit assembly guide(140, 240) to permit secure rotation of the second mast unit (110 b, 210b) into place. As the second mast units (110 b, 210 b) are rotated tothe vertical position, the unit interconnection devices (135, 235), seenin FIGS. 7 and 8), releasably lock the second mast units (110 b, 210 b)to the first mast units (110 a, 210 a). The mast units (110 a, 110 b,210 a, 210 b) may also be releasably secured together with traditionalfastening devices such as bolts. The first pair of second mast units(110 b, 210 b) are generally installed with the carriages (450, 470)already in place, as seen in FIG. 3.

Now, with the mast units (110 a, 110 b, 210 a, 210 b) in the verticalposition, the hoisting system cables (410, 420) are attached to thecable connectors (454, 474) and the hoists (430, 440). The hoists (430,440) are then activated at the central control console (510) therebydrawing the cables (410, 420) taunt and lifting the work platform (300)to the position shown in FIG. 5. Once the work platform (300) has beenlifted approximately the length of one mast unit (110 a, 110 b, 210 a,210 b), the platform mast engagers (330, 340) are activated to securethe work platform (300) to the masts (100, 200). Next, the user mayinstall a third set of modular mast units (110 c, 210 c). A portion ofthe cables (410, 420) may be withdrawn from the hoists (430, 440)allowing the user to advance the carriages (450, 470) to the proximalend (114, 214) of the third set of modular mast units (110 c, 210 c), atwhich point the carriages (450, 470) are locked to the masts (100, 200).Then the sequence of (a) raising the carriages (450, 470) as far aspossible and engaging the masts (100, 200), (b) engaging the hoists(430, 440) to retract the cables (410, 420) and lift the work platform(300) to the elevation of the carriages (450, 470), (c) locking the workplatform (300) to the masts (100, 200) via the platform mast engagers(340, 350), (d) releasing the cables (410, 420) from the hoists (430,440), and (e) releasing the carriages (450, 470) from the masts (100,200) so that they may be advanced. An alternative embodiment includessecondary safety cables that may be attached from the work platform(300) to the masts (100, 200) as the carriages (450, 470) are moved sothat the security of the work platform (300) is not solely dependent onthe platform mast engagers (340, 350) as the carriages (450, 470) aremoved.

In one particular embodiment, the hoists (430, 440) contain enough cable(410, 420) such that the work platform (300) may be lowered from thehighest elevation to the ground without having to reposition thecarriages (450, 470). Such is particularly beneficial when the userneeds to return the work platform (300) to ground level to obtain moresupplies or take a break.

As one with skill in the art will appreciate, each modular mast (100,200) may have more than one multifunction rail (116, 216), as seen inFIGS. 35 and 36. This is particularly beneficial when multiple workplatforms (300) are used next to one another. For instance, two workplatforms (300) may be installed adjacent to one another thereby sharinga modular mast (100, 200) such that only three modular masts are neededfor the operation of two work platforms (300). This concept extends tojob sites utilizing ten or more work platforms (300) to facilitate workon an entire face of a structure.

Numerous alterations, modifications, and variations of the preferredembodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in theart and they are all anticipated and contemplated to be within thespirit and scope of the instant invention. For example, althoughspecific embodiments have been described in detail, those with skill inthe art will understand that the preceding embodiments and variationscan be modified to incorporate various types of substitute and oradditional or alternative materials, relative arrangement of elements,and dimensional configurations. Accordingly, even though only fewvariations of the present invention are described herein, it is to beunderstood that the practice of such additional modifications andvariations and the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined in the following claims. The correspondingstructures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plusfunction elements in the claims below are intended to include anystructure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combinationwith other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

1. A self-erecting suspension platform system (10), comprising: asinistral modular mast (100) having at least a first sinistral mast unit(110 a) and a second sinistral mast unit (110 b), wherein the firstsinistral mast unit (110 a) and the second sinistral mast unit (110 b)are substantially identical with each having a distal end (112), aproximal end (114), a multifunction rail (116) extending from the distalend (112) to the proximal end (114) including a plurality of safetyengagement devices (117) and a stabilizer guide device (122), a unitinterconnection device (135) located substantially near the distal end(112), and a unit assembly guide (140) located substantially near thedistal end (112) and configured such that when a portion of the distalend (112) of a second sinistral mast unit (110 b) is placed in contactwith the proximal end (114) of the adjacent first sinistral mast unit(110 a) in the vertical position that the unit assembly guide (140)pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) to the firstsinistral mast unit (110 a) such that the second sinistral mast unit(110 b) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such that theunit interconnection device (135) attaches the second sinistral mastunit (110 b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110 a); a dextral modularmast (200), separated from the sinistral modular mast (100) by a mastseparation distance (50), having at least a first dextral mast unit (210a) and a second dextral mast unit (210 b), wherein the first dextralmast unit (210 a) and the second dextral mast unit (210 b) aresubstantially identical with each having a distal end (212), a proximalend (214), a multifunction rail (216) extending from the distal end(212) to the proximal end (214) including a plurality of safetyengagement devices (217) and a stabilizer guide device (222), a unitinterconnection device (235) located substantially near the distal end(212), and a unit assembly guide (240) located substantially near thedistal end (212) and configured such that when a portion of the distalend (212) of a second dextral mast unit (210 b) is placed in contactwith the proximal end (214) of the adjacent first dextral mast unit (210a) in the vertical position that the unit assembly guide (240) pivotablysecures the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) to the first sinistralmast unit (110 a) such that the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) maybe securely rotated into a vertical position such that the unitinterconnection device (235) attaches the second sinistral mast unit(110 b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110 a); a work platform (300)having a sinistral end (302) and a dextral end (304), a railing (310), asinistral mast stabilizer (320) attached to the platform (300) andconfigured to cooperate with the sinistral mast stabilizer guide device(122) of the sinistral mast multifunction rail (116) to preventundesired swaying of the suspended work platform (300), a dextral maststabilizer (330) attached to the platform (300) and configured tocooperate with the dextral mast stabilizer guide device (222) of thedextral mast multifunction rail (216) to prevent undesired swaying ofthe suspended work platform (300), a sinistral platform mast engager(340) attached to the platform (300) and configured to cooperate with atleast one of the plurality of sinistral mast safety engagement devices(117) of the sinistral mast multifunction rail (116) to releasably lockthe platform (300) to the sinistral modular mast (100) therebypreventing unintentional descent of the platform (300), a dextralplatform mast engager (350) attached to the platform (300) andconfigured to cooperate with at least one of the plurality of dextralmast safety engagement devices (217) of the dextral mast multifunctionrail (216) to releasably lock the platform (300) to the dextral modularmast (200) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the platform(300), wherein the work platform (300) is located between the sinistralmodular mast (100) and the dextral modular mast (200) such that the workplatform sinistral end (302) is adjacent to the sinistral modular mast(100) and the work platform dextral end (304) is adjacent to the dextralmodular mast (200); a hoisting system (400) configured to suspend theworking platform (300) from the sinistral modular mast (100) and thedextral modular mast (200), including, A) a sinistral carriage (450)adapted to cooperatively receive the sinistral modular mast (100) sothat the sinistral carriage (450) may be conveniently slid up and downthe sinistral modular mast (100) by a user, having a proximal end (466),a distal end (467), a body (452), a cable connector (454), an operatorhandle (456), and a carriage mast engager (460) to releasably lock thesinistral carriage (450) to the sinistral modular mast (100) therebypreventing unintentional descent of the sinistral carriage (450), B) adextral carriage (470) adapted to cooperatively receive the dextralmodular mast (200) so that the dextral carriage (470) may beconveniently slid up and down the dextral modular mast (200) by a user,having a proximal end (486), a distal end (487), a body (472), a cableconnector (474), an operator handle (476), and a carriage mast engager(480) to releasably lock the dextral carriage (470) to the dextralmodular mast (200) thereby preventing unintentional descent of thedextral carriage (470), C) a sinistral mast hoist (430) attached to theworking platform (300) near the sinistral end (302), D) a dextral masthoist (440) attached to the working platform (300) near the dextral end(304), E) a sinistral mast cable (410) attached to the cable connector(454) of the sinistral carriage (450) and the sinistral mast hoist (430)thereby suspending the working platform (300) from the sinistralcarriage (450) and adjusting the elevation of the working platform (300)as the sinistral mast cable (410) is extended and retracted by thesinistral mast hoist (430), F) a dextral mast cable (420) attached tothe cable connector (474) of the dextral carriage (470) and the dextralmast hoist (440) thereby suspending the working platform (300) from thedextral carriage (470) and adjusting the elevation of the workingplatform (300) as the dextral mast cable (420) is extended and retractedby the dextral mast hoist (440), and a control system (500) having acentral control station (510) in communication with the sinistral masthoist (430) and the dextral mast hoist (440) thereby controlling theelevation of the work platform (300) by extending and retracting thesinistral mast cable (410) and the dextral mast cable (420) from thesinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextral mast hoist (440).
 2. Theplatform system (10) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sinistralsafety engagement devices (117) are sinistral locking recesses (118)formed in the sinistral multifunction rail (116), and the plurality ofdextral safety engagement devices (217) are dextral locking recesses(218) formed in the dextral multifunction rail (216).
 3. The platformsystem (10) of claim 2, wherein the sinistral carriage mast engager(460) includes a sinistral carriage locking tongue (462) formed tocooperate with the sinistral locking recesses (118) so that thesinistral carriage locking tongue (462) can extend into, and retractfrom, any one of the sinistral locking recesses (118) to releasablysecure the sinistral carriage (450) to the sinistral multifunction rail(116), and the dextral carriage mast engager (480) includes a dextralcarriage locking tongue (482) formed to cooperate with the dextrallocking recesses (218) so that the dextral carriage locking tongue (482)can extend into, and retract from, any one of the dextral lockingrecesses (218) to releasably secure the dextral carriage (470) to thedextral multifunction rail (216).
 4. The platform system (10) of claim2, wherein the sinistral platform mast engager (340) includes asinistral platform locking tongue (342) formed to cooperate with thesinistral locking recesses (118) so that the sinistral platform lockingtongue (342) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the sinistrallocking recesses (118) to releasably secure the work platform sinistralend (302) to the sinistral multifunction rail (116), and the dextralplatform mast engager (350) includes a dextral platform locking tongue(352) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking recesses (218) sothat the dextral platform locking tongue (352) can extend into, andretract from, any one of the dextral locking recesses (218) toreleasably secure the work platform dextral end (304) to the dextralmultifunction rail (216).
 5. The platform system (10) of claim 1,wherein the plurality of sinistral safety engagement devices (117) aresinistral locking projections (119) extending from the sinistralmultifunction rail (116), and the plurality of dextral safety engagementdevices (217) are dextral locking projections (219) extending from thedextral multifunction rail (216).
 6. The platform system (10) of claim5, wherein the sinistral carriage mast engager (460) includes asinistral carriage locking tongue (462) formed to cooperate with thesinistral locking projections (119) so that the sinistral carriagelocking tongue (462) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of thesinistral locking projections (119) to releasably secure the sinistralcarriage (450) to the sinistral multifunction rail (116), and thedextral carriage mast engager (480) includes a dextral carriage lockingtongue (482) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking projections(219) so that the dextral carriage locking tongue (482) can engage with,and disengage from, any one of the dextral locking projections (219) toreleasably secure the dextral carriage (470) to the dextralmultifunction rail (216).
 7. The platform system (10) of claim 5,wherein the sinistral platform mast engager (340) includes a sinistralplatform locking tongue (342) formed to cooperate with the sinistrallocking projections (119) so that the sinistral platform locking tongue(342) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the sinistrallocking projections (119) to releasably secure the work platformsinistral end (302) to the sinistral multifunction rail (116), and thedextral platform mast engager (350) includes a dextral platform lockingtongue (352) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking projections(219) so that the dextral platform locking tongue (352) can engage with,and disengage from, any one of the dextral locking projections (219) toreleasably secure the work platform dextral end (304) to the dextralmultifunction rail (216).
 8. The platform system (10) of claim 1,wherein the sinistral stabilizer guide device (122) is integral to thesinistral multifunction rail (116) and the dextral stabilizer guidedevice (222) is integral to the dextral multifunction rail (216).
 9. Theplatform system (10) of claim 8, wherein the work platform sinistralmast stabilizer (320) includes at least one sinistral platform roller(322) in rolling contact with the sinistral stabilizer guide device(122) to prevent swaying of the suspended work platform (300) and thework platform dextral mast stabilizer (330) includes at least onedextral platform roller (332) in rolling contact with the dextralstabilizer guide device (222) to prevent swaying of the suspended workplatform (300).
 10. The platform system (10) of claim 8, wherein thesinistral multifunction rail (116) is a U-shaped sinistral multifunctionrail (125) having a bearing surface (126), a first sidewall (127), and asecond sidewall (128) wherein sinistral mast stabilizer (320) isretained between the first sidewall (127) and the second sidewall (128),and the dextral multifunction rail (216) is a U-shaped dextralmultifunction rail (225) having a bearing surface (226), a firstsidewall (227), and a second sidewall (228) wherein dextral maststabilizer (330) is retained between the first sidewall (227) and thesecond sidewall (228).
 11. The platform system (10) of claim 8, whereinthe sinistral multifunction rail (116) is a V-shaped sinistralmultifunction rail (130) having a first bearing surface (131)substantially orthogonal to a second bearing surface (132) whereinsinistral mast stabilizer (320) is retained between the first bearingsurface (131) and the second bearing surface (132), and the dextralmultifunction rail (216) is a V-shaped dextral multifunction rail (230)having a first bearing surface (231) substantially orthogonal to asecond bearing surface (232) wherein dextral mast stabilizer (330) isretained between the first bearing surface (231) and the second bearingsurface (232).
 12. The platform system (10) of claim 6, wherein thesinistral carriage cable connector (454) is located substantially at thesinistral carriage distal end (467) and the sinistral carriage lockingtongue (462) is a locking wedge (463) rigidly attached to the sinistralcarriage (450) below the sinistral cable connector (454) and at, orabove, the sinistral carriage proximal end (466), and the dextralcarriage cable connector (474) is located substantially at the dextralcarriage distal end (477) and the dextral carriage locking tongue (472)is a locking wedge (483) rigidly attached to the dextral carriage (470)below the dextral cable connector (474) and at, or above, the dextralcarriage proximal end (476), wherein to move the sinistral carriage(450) relative to the sinistral modular mast (100) the sinistralcarriage locking wedge (463) and the sinistral carriage proximal end(466) must be moved away from the sinistral locking projections (119) sothat the sinistral carriage locking wedge (463) may pass the sinistrallocking projections (119) as the sinistral carriage (450) traverses thesinistral modular mast (100), and to move the dextral carriage (470)relative to the dextral modular mast (200) the dextral carriage lockingwedge (483) and the dextral carriage proximal end (486) must be movedaway from the dextral locking projections (219) so that the dextralcarriage locking wedge (483) may pass the dextral locking projections(219) as the dextral carriage (470) traverses the dextral modular mast(200), and upon application of a suspension force on the sinistralcarriage cable connector (454) the sinistral carriage locking wedge(463) engages at least one sinistral locking projection (119) therebypreventing movement of the sinistral carriage (450) and upon applicationof a suspension force on the dextral carriage cable connector (474) thedextral carriage locking wedge (483) engages at least one dextrallocking projection (219) thereby preventing movement of the dextralcarriage (470).
 13. The platform system (10) of claim 6, wherein thesinistral carriage cable connector (454) is located substantially at thesinistral carriage distal end (467) and the sinistral carriage lockingtongue (462) is a biased locking pawl (464) attached to the sinistralcarriage (450) below the sinistral cable connector (454) and at, orabove, the sinistral carriage proximal end (466), and the dextralcarriage cable connector (474) is located substantially at the dextralcarriage distal end (477) and the dextral carriage locking tongue (472)is a biased locking pawl (484) attached to the dextral carriage (470)below the dextral cable connector (474) and at, or above, the dextralcarriage proximal end (476), wherein to increase the elevation of thesinistral carriage (450) relative to the sinistral modular mast (100)the sinistral carriage (450) is forced upward and the sinistral carriagebiased locking pawl (464) pivots as it contacts the sinistral lockingprojections (119) so that the sinistral carriage (450) may pass thesinistral locking projections (119) as the sinistral carriage (450)traverses the sinistral modular mast (100), and to increase theelevation of the dextral carriage (470) relative to the dextral modularmast (200) the dextral carriage (470) is forced upward and the dextralcarriage biased locking pawl (474) pivots as it contacts the dextrallocking projections (219) so that the dextral carriage (470) may passthe dextral locking projections (219) as the dextral carriage (470)traverses the dextral modular mast (200), and upon application of asuspension force on the sinistral carriage cable connector (454) thesinistral carriage biased locking pawl (464) engages at least onesinistral locking projection (119) thereby preventing movement of thesinistral carriage (450) and upon application of a suspension force onthe dextral carriage cable connector (474) the dextral carriage biasedlocking pawl (484) engages at least one dextral locking projection (219)thereby preventing movement of the dextral carriage (470).
 14. Theplatform system (10) of claim 7, wherein the sinistral platform lockingtongue (342) is a biased locking pawl (344) and the dextral platformlocking tongue (352) is a biased locking pawl (354), wherein to increasethe elevation of the work platform (300) relative to the sinistralmodular mast (100) and the dextral modular mast (200) the sinistralhoist (430) and the dextral hoist (440) pull the work platform upwardand the sinistral platform biased locking pawl (344) pivots as itcontacts the sinistral locking projections (119) so that the sinistralplatform biased locking pawl (344) may pass the sinistral lockingprojections (119) as the work platform (300) traverses the sinistralmodular mast (100) and the dextral platform biased locking pawl (354)pivots as it contacts the dextral locking projections (119) so that thedextral platform biased locking pawl (354) may pass the dextral lockingprojections (119) as the work platform (300) traverses the dextralmodular mast (200), and upon deactivation of a sinistral hoistsuspension force the sinistral platform biased locking pawl (344)engages at least one sinistral locking projection (119) therebypreventing movement of the work platform sinistral end (302) and upondeactivation of a dextral hoist suspension force the dextral platformbiased locking pawl (354) engages at least one dextral lockingprojection (219) thereby preventing movement of the work platformdextral end (304).
 15. The platform system (10) of claim 1, wherein thesinistral carriage operator handle (456) includes a sinistral engageractivation device (457) that activates and deactivates the sinistralcarriage mast engager (460) to releasably lock the sinistral carriage(450) to the sinistral modular mast (100) thereby preventingunintentional descent of the sinistral carriage (450), and the dextralcarriage operator handle (476) includes a dextral engager activationdevice (477) that activates and deactivates the dextral carriage mastengager (480) to releasably lock the dextral carriage (470) to thedextral modular mast (200) thereby preventing unintentional descent ofthe dextral carriage (470).
 16. The platform system (10) of claim 1,wherein the sinistral carriage body (452) completely encircles thesinistral modular mast perimeter (145) and the dextral carriage body(472) completely encircles the dextral modular mast perimeter (245). 17.The platform system (10) of claim 1, wherein the sinistral carriage(450) includes a guide (458) configured to cooperate with the sinistralmultifunction rail (116) and constrain the movement of the sinistralcarriage (450) on the sinistral modular mast (100) and the dextralcarriage (470) includes a guide (478) configured to cooperate with thedextral multifunction rail (216) and constrain the movement of thedextral carriage (470) on the dextral modular mast (200).
 18. Theplatform system (10) of claim 1, wherein the sinistral unit assemblyguide (140) includes a hook device (142) located substantially near thedistal end (112) and configured such that when a portion of the distalend (112) of a second sinistral mast unit (110 b) is placed in contactwith the proximal end (114) of the adjacent first sinistral mast unit(110 a) in the vertical position that the hook device (142) pivotablysecures the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) to the first sinistralmast unit (110 a) such that the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) maybe securely rotated into a vertical position such that the sinistralunit interconnection device (135) attaches the second sinistral mastunit (110 b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110 a), and the dextralunit assembly guide (240) includes a hook device (242) locatedsubstantially near the distal end (212) and configured such that when aportion of the distal end (212) of a second dextral mast unit (210 b) isplaced in contact with the proximal end (214) of the adjacent firstdextral mast unit (210 a) in the vertical position that the hook device(242) pivotably secures the second dextral mast unit (210 b) to thefirst dextral mast unit (210 a) such that the second dextral mast unit(210 b) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such that thedextral unit interconnection device (235) attaches the second dextralmast unit (210 b) to the first dextral mast unit (210 a).
 19. Aself-erecting suspension platform system (10), comprising: a sinistralmodular mast (100) having at least a first sinistral mast unit (110 a)and a second sinistral mast unit (110 b), wherein the first sinistralmast unit (110 a) and the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) aresubstantially identical with each having a distal end (112), a proximalend (114), a multifunction rail (116) extending from the distal end(112) to the proximal end (114) including a plurality of safetyengagement devices (117) and a stabilizer guide device (122) integral tothe multifunction rail (116), a unit interconnection device (135)located substantially near the distal end (112), and a unit assemblyguide (140) located substantially near the distal end (112) andconfigured such that when a portion of the distal end (112) of a secondsinistral mast unit (110 b) is placed in contact with the proximal end(114) of the adjacent first sinistral mast unit (110 a) in the verticalposition that the unit assembly guide (140) pivotably secures the secondsinistral mast unit (110 b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110 a)such that the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) may be securely rotatedinto a vertical position such that the unit interconnection device (135)attaches the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) to the first sinistralmast unit (110 a), wherein the plurality of sinistral safety engagementdevices (117) are sinistral locking recesses (118) formed in thesinistral multifunction rail (116); a dextral modular mast (200),separated from the sinistral modular mast (100) by a mast separationdistance (50), having at least a first dextral mast unit (210 a) and asecond dextral mast unit (210 b), wherein the first dextral mast unit(210 a) and the second dextral mast unit (210 b) are substantiallyidentical with each having a distal end (212), a proximal end (214), amultifunction rail (216) extending from the distal end (212) to theproximal end (214) including a plurality of safety engagement devices(217) and a stabilizer guide device (222) integral to the multifunctionrail (216), a unit interconnection device (235) located substantiallynear the distal end (212), and a unit assembly guide (240) locatedsubstantially near the distal end (212) and configured such that when aportion of the distal end (212) of a second dextral mast unit (210 b) isplaced in contact with the proximal end (214) of the adjacent firstdextral mast unit (210 a) in the vertical position that the unitassembly guide (240) pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit(110 b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110 a) such that the secondsinistral mast unit (110 b) may be securely rotated into a verticalposition such that the unit interconnection device (235) attaches thesecond sinistral mast unit (110 b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110a), wherein the plurality of dextral safety engagement devices (217) aredextral locking recesses (218) formed in the dextral multifunction rail(216); a work platform (300) having a sinistral end (302) and a dextralend (304), a railing (310), a sinistral mast stabilizer (320), includingat least one sinistral platform roller (322) in rolling contact with thesinistral stabilizer guide device (122), attached to the platform (300)and configured to cooperate with the sinistral mast stabilizer guidedevice (122) of the sinistral mast multifunction rail (116) to preventundesired swaying of the suspended work platform (300), a dextral maststabilizer (330), including at least one dextral platform roller (332)in rolling contact with the dextral stabilizer guide device (222),attached to the platform (300) and configured to cooperate with thedextral mast stabilizer guide device (222) of the dextral mastmultifunction rail (216) to prevent undesired swaying of the suspendedwork platform (300), a sinistral platform mast engager (340) attached tothe platform (300) and configured to cooperate with at least one of theplurality of sinistral mast safety engagement devices (117) of thesinistral mast multifunction rail (116) to releasably lock the platform(300) to the sinistral modular mast (100) thereby preventingunintentional descent of the platform (300), a dextral platform mastengager (350) attached to the platform (300) and configured to cooperatewith at least one of the plurality of dextral mast safety engagementdevices (217) of the dextral mast multifunction rail (216) to releasablylock the platform (300) to the dextral modular mast (200) therebypreventing unintentional descent of the platform (300), wherein the workplatform (300) is located between the sinistral modular mast (100) andthe dextral modular mast (200) such that the work platform sinistral end(302) is adjacent to the sinistral modular mast (100) and the workplatform dextral end (304) is adjacent to the dextral modular mast(200), wherein the sinistral platform mast engager (340) includes asinistral platform locking tongue (342) formed to cooperate with thesinistral locking recesses (118) so that the sinistral platform lockingtongue (342) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the sinistrallocking recesses (118) to releasably secure the work platform sinistralend (302) to the sinistral multifunction rail (116), and the dextralplatform mast engager (350) includes a dextral platform locking tongue(352) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking recesses (218) sothat the dextral platform locking tongue (352) can extend into, andretract from, any one of the dextral locking recesses (218) toreleasably secure the work platform dextral end (304) to the dextralmultifunction rail (216); a hoisting system (400) configured to suspendthe working platform (300) from the sinistral modular mast (100) and thedextral modular mast (200), including, A) a sinistral carriage (450)adapted to cooperatively receive the sinistral modular mast (100) sothat the sinistral carriage (450) may be conveniently slid up and downthe sinistral modular mast (100) by a user, having a proximal end (466),a distal end (467), a body (452) that completely encircles the sinistralmodular mast perimeter (145), a cable connector (454), an operatorhandle (456), a carriage mast engager (460) including a sinistralcarriage locking tongue (462) formed to cooperate with the sinistrallocking recesses (118) so that the sinistral carriage locking tongue(462) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the sinistrallocking recesses (118) to releasably secure the sinistral carriage (450)to the sinistral multifunction rail (116) thereby preventingunintentional descent of the sinistral carriage (450), and a guide (458)configured to cooperate with the sinistral multifunction rail (116) andconstrain the movement of the sinistral carriage (450) on the sinistralmodular mast (100), B) a dextral carriage (470) adapted to cooperativelyreceive the dextral modular mast (200) so that the dextral carriage(470) may be conveniently slid up and down the dextral modular mast(200) by a user, having a proximal end (486), a distal end (487), a body(472) that completely encircles the dextral modular mast perimeter(245), a cable connector (474), an operator handle (476), a carriagemast engager (480) including a dextral carriage locking tongue (482)formed to cooperate with the dextral locking recesses (218) so that thedextral carriage locking tongue (482) can extend into, and retract from,any one of the dextral locking recesses (218) to releasably secure thedextral carriage (470) to the dextral multifunction rail (216) therebypreventing unintentional descent of the dextral carriage (470), and aguide (478) configured to cooperate with the dextral multifunction rail(216) and constrain the movement of the dextral carriage (470) on thedextral modular mast (200), C) a sinistral mast hoist (430) attached tothe working platform (300) near the sinistral end (302), D) a dextralmast hoist (440) attached to the working platform (300) near the dextralend (304), E) a sinistral mast cable (410) attached to the cableconnector (454) of the sinistral carriage (450) and the sinistral masthoist (430) thereby suspending the working platform (300) from thesinistral carriage (450) and adjusting the elevation of the workingplatform (300) as the sinistral mast cable (410) is extended andretracted by the sinistral mast hoist (430), F) a dextral mast cable(420) attached to the cable connector (474) of the dextral carriage(470) and the dextral mast hoist (440) thereby suspending the workingplatform (300) from the dextral carriage (470) and adjusting theelevation of the working platform (300) as the dextral mast cable (420)is extended and retracted by the dextral mast hoist (440), and a controlsystem (500) having a central control station (510) in communicationwith the sinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextral mast hoist (440)thereby controlling the elevation of the work platform (300) byextending and retracting the sinistral mast cable (410) and the dextralmast cable (420) from the sinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextralmast hoist (440).
 20. A self-erecting suspension platform system (10),comprising: a sinistral modular mast (100) having at least a firstsinistral mast unit (110 a) and a second sinistral mast unit (110 b),wherein the first sinistral mast unit (110 a) and the second sinistralmast unit (110 b) are substantially identical with each having a distalend (112), a proximal end (114), a multifunction rail (116) extendingfrom the distal end (112) to the proximal end (114) including aplurality of safety engagement devices (117) and a stabilizer guidedevice (122) integral to the multifunction rail (116), a unitinterconnection device (135) located substantially near the distal end(112), and a unit assembly guide (140) located substantially near thedistal end (112) and configured such that when a portion of the distalend (112) of a second sinistral mast unit (110 b) is placed in contactwith the proximal end (114) of the adjacent first sinistral mast unit(110 a) in the vertical position that the unit assembly guide (140)pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) to the firstsinistral mast unit (110 a) such that the second sinistral mast unit(110 b) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such that theunit interconnection device (135) attaches the second sinistral mastunit (110 b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110 a), wherein theplurality of sinistral safety engagement devices (117) are sinistrallocking projections (119) extending from the sinistral multifunctionrail (116); a dextral modular mast (200), separated from the sinistralmodular mast (100) by a mast separation distance (50), having at least afirst dextral mast unit (210 a) and a second dextral mast unit (210 b),wherein the first dextral mast unit (210 a) and the second dextral mastunit (210 b) are substantially identical with each having a distal end(212), a proximal end (214), a multifunction rail (216) extending fromthe distal end (212) to the proximal end (214) including a plurality ofsafety engagement devices (217) and a stabilizer guide device (222)integral to the multifunction rail (216), a unit interconnection device(235) located substantially near the distal end (212), and a unitassembly guide (240) located substantially near the distal end (212) andconfigured such that when a portion of the distal end (212) of a seconddextral mast unit (210 b) is placed in contact with the proximal end(214) of the adjacent first dextral mast unit (210 a) in the verticalposition that the unit assembly guide (240) pivotably secures the secondsinistral mast unit (210 b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110 a)such that the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) may be securely rotatedinto a vertical position such that the unit interconnection device (235)attaches the second sinistral mast unit (110 b) to the first sinistralmast unit (110 a), wherein the plurality of dextral safety engagementdevices (217) are dextral locking projections (219) extending from thedextral multifunction rail (216); a work platform (300) having asinistral end (302) and a dextral end (304), a railing (310), asinistral mast stabilizer (320), including at least one sinistralplatform roller (322) in rolling contact with the sinistral stabilizerguide device (122), attached to the platform (300) and configured tocooperate with the sinistral mast stabilizer guide device (122) of thesinistral mast multifunction rail (116) to prevent undesired swaying ofthe suspended work platform (300), a dextral mast stabilizer (330),including at least one dextral platform roller (332) in rolling contactwith the dextral stabilizer guide device (222), attached to the platform(300) and configured to cooperate with the dextral mast stabilizer guidedevice (222) of the dextral mast multifunction rail (216) to preventundesired swaying of the suspended work platform (300), a sinistralplatform mast engager (340) attached to the platform (300) andconfigured to cooperate with at least one of the plurality of sinistralmast safety engagement devices (117) of the sinistral mast multifunctionrail (116) to releasably lock the platform (300) to the sinistralmodular mast (100) thereby preventing unintentional descent of theplatform (300), a dextral platform mast engager (350) attached to theplatform (300) and configured to cooperate with at least one of theplurality of dextral mast safety engagement devices (217) of the dextralmast multifunction rail (216) to releasably lock the platform (300) tothe dextral modular mast (200) thereby preventing unintentional descentof the platform (300), wherein the work platform (300) is locatedbetween the sinistral modular mast (100) and the dextral modular mast(200) such that the work platform sinistral end (302) is adjacent to thesinistral modular mast (100) and the work platform dextral end (304) isadjacent to the dextral modular mast (200), wherein the sinistralplatform mast engager (340) includes a sinistral platform locking tongue(342) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking projections (119)so that the sinistral platform locking tongue (342) can engage with, anddisengage from, any one of the sinistral locking projections (119) toreleasably secure the work platform sinistral end (302) to the sinistralmultifunction rail (116), and the dextral platform mast engager (350)includes a dextral platform locking tongue (352) formed to cooperatewith the dextral locking projections (219) so that the dextral platformlocking tongue (352) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of thedextral locking projections (219) to releasably secure the work platformdextral end (304) to the dextral multifunction rail (216); a hoistingsystem (400) configured to suspend the working platform (300) from thesinistral modular mast (100) and the dextral modular mast (200),including, A) a sinistral carriage (450) adapted to cooperativelyreceive the sinistral modular mast (100) so that the sinistral carriage(450) may be conveniently slid up and down the sinistral modular mast(100) by a user, having a proximal end (466), a distal end (467), a body(452) that completely encircles the sinistral modular mast perimeter(145), a cable connector (454), an operator handle (456), a carriagemast engager (460) including a sinistral carriage locking tongue (462)formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking projections (119) so thatthe sinistral carriage locking tongue (462) can engage with, anddisengage from, any one of the sinistral locking projections (119) toreleasably secure the sinistral carriage (450) to the sinistralmultifunction rail (116) thereby preventing unintentional descent of thesinistral carriage (450), and a guide (458) configured to cooperate withthe sinistral multifunction rail (116) and constrain the movement of thesinistral carriage (450) on the sinistral modular mast (100), B) adextral carriage (470) adapted to cooperatively receive the dextralmodular mast (200) so that the dextral carriage (470) may beconveniently slid up and down the dextral modular mast (200) by a user,having a proximal end (486), a distal end (487), a body (472) thatcompletely encircles the dextral modular mast perimeter (245), a cableconnector (474), an operator handle (476), a carriage mast engager (480)including a dextral carriage locking tongue (482) formed to cooperatewith the dextral locking projections (219) so that the dextral carriagelocking tongue (482) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of thedextral locking projections (219) to releasably secure the dextralcarriage (470) to the dextral multifunction rail (216) therebypreventing unintentional descent of the dextral carriage (470), and aguide (478) configured to cooperate with the dextral multifunction rail(216) and constrain the movement of the dextral carriage (470) on thedextral modular mast (200), C) a sinistral mast hoist (430) attached tothe working platform (300) near the sinistral end (302), D) a dextralmast hoist (440) attached to the working platform (300) near the dextralend (304), E) a sinistral mast cable (410) attached to the cableconnector (454) of the sinistral carriage (450) and the sinistral masthoist (430) thereby suspending the working platform (300) from thesinistral carriage (450) and adjusting the elevation of the workingplatform (300) as the sinistral mast cable (410) is extended andretracted by the sinistral mast hoist (430), F) a dextral mast cable(420) attached to the cable connector (474) of the dextral carriage(470) and the dextral mast hoist (440) thereby suspending the workingplatform (300) from the dextral carriage (470) and adjusting theelevation of the working platform (300) as the dextral mast cable (420)is extended and retracted by the dextral mast hoist (440), and a controlsystem (500) having a central control station (510) in communicationwith the sinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextral mast hoist (440)thereby controlling the elevation of the work platform (300) byextending and retracting the sinistral mast cable (410) and the dextralmast cable (420) from the sinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextralmast hoist (440).